Treatments
Request sinusitis treatment online from Private Pharmacy Care. A UK-registered clinician reviews your symptoms, with discreet UK delivery if treatment is suitable.
Introduction
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. Acute sinusitis often follows a cold and causes a blocked or runny nose, facial pressure, and reduced smell. Most cases in otherwise healthy adults are viral and improve without antibiotics.
Private Pharmacy Care can review whether you need self-care advice, a non-antibiotic option, or — only when guidelines support it — an antibiotic after a clinician checks your symptoms and risks.
Antibiotics do not help viral colds and must not be used “just in case”.
The condition
Sinusitis is inflammation of the air-filled cavities around the nose. Acute sinusitis often follows a cold. You may have a blocked or runny nose, facial pressure that is worse when you bend forward, reduced smell, and mucus that can be clear or coloured. Coloured mucus on its own does not prove you need antibiotics.
Most acute cases in otherwise healthy adults are viral and improve over about 2 to 3 weeks with self-care. Bacterial infection is less common. Chronic sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or more and usually needs a different GP or ENT approach, not a one-off antibiotic.
Private Pharmacy Care can review whether self-care, a steroid nasal spray, or — only when guidelines support it — an antibiotic is appropriate. A clinician decides. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Antibiotics do not treat viral colds and should not be used “just in case”. Always read the leaflet if a medicine is supplied.
Symptoms
Typical sinusitis is uncomfortable but you remain generally well. Swelling around one eye, double vision, confusion, or a severe headache with neck stiffness is an emergency because infection can rarely spread to the eye socket or brain.
Causes
The sinuses drain through small openings into the nose. When lining swells, mucus is trapped and pressure builds. Viruses start most acute episodes; bacteria sometimes follow. Allergy and polyps contribute to longer-term disease.
Treatments
UK guidance emphasises self-care first for many adults. This list is a guide. A clinician decides whether any prescription is justified. Completing a consultation does not guarantee an antibiotic or any other medicine.
Products
Avamys (fluticasone) steroid nasal spray for allergic rhinitis. Ages 12+. Two sprays in each nostril once a day.…
Benefits
A structured consultation helps distinguish uncomplicated viral symptoms from situations where further treatment or urgent care is needed.
We consider duration of symptoms, severity, and risk factors before any prescription is issued.
Saline rinses, appropriate pain relief, and sometimes steroid nasal sprays may be discussed.
Bacterial sinusitis is less common. A clinician will not prescribe antibiotics unless they are justified.
You will be told which symptoms mean you should seek urgent in-person care.
Eligibility
Online treatment is aimed at adults with typical acute sinusitis who are not severely unwell. Complications are uncommon but serious.
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Complete a short online consultation. A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers before any treatment is supplied.
How it works
Viral sinusitis usually improves over 2–3 weeks. Treatment focuses on easing drainage and pain. If a bacterial infection is likely and an antibiotic is used, complete the course and do not share leftover capsules.
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Sinus infections can rarely spread to the eye socket or brain. Worsening swelling, vision change, or severe systemic illness is an emergency.
Unnecessary antibiotics cause side effects and resistance. We will explain if self-care is the safer plan.
Side effects
If an antibiotic is prescribed, stomach upset and rash are among the more common effects. Steroid nasal sprays can cause local dryness or nosebleeds.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet for any spray, tablet or antibiotic you are given. The steps below are general.
Gently blow your nose first. Aim the spray slightly outward, not onto the middle wall of the nose, then sniff lightly. This reduces nosebleeds and dryness.
If a short course is advised, stop on time. Longer use often makes blockage worse.
Complete the course. Do not save leftover capsules or share them. Take with food if the leaflet allows and you have a sensitive stomach.
Many people improve over 2 to 3 weeks. Seek help sooner if you worsen, especially with eye or severe headache symptoms.
Safety netting
Most sinusitis settles without antibiotics. A small number of complications are serious. Use the lists below if you are unsure whether to wait or to seek help now.
Common questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Usually not. Many cases are viral. Antibiotics are considered when symptoms are prolonged, severe, or you have particular risk factors — the clinician decides.
Acute symptoms often last 2 to 3 weeks. See a GP if you are not improving or keep getting episodes.
Cabin pressure can worsen pain. If you are very blocked, consider delaying travel and ask a clinician.
Saline irrigation or sprays can help some people. Use cooled boiled water or sterile saline as directed, never tap water in neti pots without proper preparation.
Eye swelling, vision change, severe drowsiness, a non-blanching rash, or a headache unlike anything usual — seek urgent care.
Why choose us
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
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